Invar 36 Invar 36fm

[Rekd]

I've never milled this before. I'm quoting high freq diplexers, 1 x 2 x 8 inches, with tons, (no, really, TONS) of pockets (wave guides), close dia holes, and tolerances all around of ±.002 or less.

Where to start for:

Tooling?

SFPM?

How's the machinability? Is it stable? I'm a bit nervous.

'Rekd

[Rekd]

Afther further review, it seems the Invar 36 and 36 FM (Free Machining) is like 36% nickel? WTF? That's Free Machining?!?!?!

It also seems it's used primarily for it's coeffecient of thermal expansion, (clocks, diplexers etc)

I also see suggestions to aneal it for stability. I will end up with about 75% or more material removal (pocketing out the wazoo), is this going to be an issue if I don't get it anealed?

Here's a pict of what it's gonna look like. The quantities could be in the hundreds, so I need to nail the cycle times/tooling charges.

:edit:
The pocketed area you see below is all toleranced at ±.002.
:/edit:

TYIA

'Rekd

[HuFlungDung]

Originally posted by Rekd ~snip I'm a bit nervous. 'Rekd

Maybe cut back on the coffee

[wms]

Rekd,

Here's a link to Carpenter metals , some info on milling< not much.

Maybe you could call them and see if you can get a hold of "smart" app. engineer.

Or get your hands an a piece and see how it goes. Better to try it first hand then you will know.


http://crswnew.cartech.com/wnew/tech...s/TA00018.html

[Rekd]

Originally posted by wms Rekd, Here's a link to Carpenter metals , some info on milling< not much. Maybe you could call them and see if you can get a hold of "smart" app. engineer. Or get your hands an a piece and see how it goes. Better to try it first hand then you will know. http://crswnew.cartech.com/wnew/tech...s/TA00018.html

Thanks, wms. I can prolly talk a vendor into sampling me a piece for free. Good idea.

'Rekd

[hardmill]

Sorry I did'nt get here sooner rekd'.
Looks like a nice project ya got there. How big(or small)
are the fillets vesus the depth of pockets?
If you can send me the file and i'll look at it.
I can point you in the right dir. for tools to.
BTW what type of machines are you using out there?

PEACE

[Rekd]

Originally posted by hardmill Sorry I did'nt get here sooner rekd'. Looks like a nice project ya got there. How big(or small) are the fillets vesus the depth of pockets? If you can send me the file and i'll look at it. I can point you in the right dir. for tools to. BTW what type of machines are you using out there? PEACE

Thanks hardmill. I figured you were prolly busy like a mofo or you'd have piped in long ago.

The doc to dia is about 6 to 1. I've done much worse in alum, brass, and some mild steels, but 36% nickel makes me a tad nervous going that deep. I'll be pre-drilling the corners out. I'll see if they gave me the database yet and send it over.

We're using all HAAS'. Hogging = bad

'Rekd

[cadcam]

Reked the Haas will work just fine. I use to do invar in wave guides on Haas machines worked well..

Just so you know this stuff is abbrasive as heck.
Carbide and Cobolt are your freinds.

[Rekd]

Originally posted by cadcam ... Just so you know this stuff is abbrasive as heck. Carbide and Cobolt are your freinds.

Is diamond coating cost effective? Prolly not, eh? I know it is on trodes (graphite) and things like G10-11, but I don't remember hearing anyone using it on metals.

'Rekd

[cadcam]

I used that typ on cobolt.
I would stay with Carbide and go coded like Tiain.